Hutson Mason honing his skills at Manning Academy

Hutson Mason is the latest Georgia quarterback to take advantage of the Manning Passing Academy as both a counselor and a pupil. (AJC photo by Brant Sanderlin)

A few football notes to get you through the weekend. Expect football out the wazoo next week. …

Georgia quarterback Hutson Mason is working out with the best of the best at the Manning Passing Academy in Thibodaux, La., this week. But that hardly puts him in exclusive company.

Seems like every quarterback worth their weight in salt nowadays attends the camp of the famous quarterback family, Archie, Payton and Eli Manning. In fact, seven quarterbacks will be represented this year. In addition to Mason, Florida’s Jeff Driskell, Missouri’s Maty Mauk, Mississippi State’s Dak Prescott, South Carolina’s Dylan Thompson, Ole Miss’ Bo Wallace and Tennessee’s Justin Worley will be serving in a counselor/pupil role.

Forty-one quarterbacks and receivers overall are attending this year’s camp, which got underway on Thursday.

“I’m enjoying getting to know not only the Mannings but also the best quarterbacks in the country,” said Mason, a fifth-year senior getting ready for his first season as Georgia’s undisputed starter. “I’m absorbing a lot of information for on and off the field.”

Conducted on the campus of Nicholls State University, this is the 19th year for the prestigious camp, which bring quarterbacks and receivers together for hands-on instruction from two of the NFL’s best. Georgia’s last two signalcallers, Aaron Murray and Matt Stafford, also attended the camp.

Mason is a fifth-year senior who is taking over as the Bulldogs’ starter this season. The 6-foot-3, 202-pound native of Marietta started the last two games of the 2013 season after Murray went down with a knee injury late in the second quarter of the Kentucky game.

Mason led Georgia to a come-from-behind overtime victory over Georgia Tech and had 320 yards passing and touchdown in a 24-19 Gator Bowl loss to Nebraska. For his career, Mason has completed 60 percent of his passes for 1,324 yards with 8 TDs and 3 interceptions.

He left Lassiter High School as the Georgia state record holder for passing yards (4,560) and touchdowns in a season (54).

Media daze awaits

The annual SEC Football Media Days talk fest begins on Monday in Birmingham and I tweeted the other day what players the Bulldogs were taking with them – WR Chris Conley, TB Todd Gurley and LB Ramik Wilson. I’d actually asked for that information from Georgia before it was released by the SEC on Wednesday, but I was told they were sworn to secrecy until then. This is the way it is nowadays in the big, bad SEC. The league controls everything.

Anyway, found the choices – ultimately made by the head coach – to be somewhat interesting. I’d guessed shared my best guess with the UGA folks earlier this week and was told only that I was “closer to cold than hot.” My prediction was Conley, Mason and cornerback Damian Swann, so I’d say one out of three is definitely chilly.

Some might ask why I didn’t include Gurley on my list. After all, he’s one of the top two or three stars in the SEC this year and a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate. But as you also may have gathered over his couple of seasons in Athens, he’s not very keen on interviews. So I thought he might beg out of going or be passed over for one of Georgia’s world-class talkers, like Mason or senior center David Andrews.

But the Bulldogs went with Gurley and I’m glad they did. He’ll certainly command a lot of attention in the Wynfrey’s Grand Ballroom.

Edwards sidelined for season

Edwards

I’ve been trying to get confirmed the last couple of days the recent news that freshman offensive lineman Jake Edwards suffered a major knee injury during summer agility drills and will be unable to play this season. Dawgs247.com first reported it on its website earlier this week citing sources. But UGA has declined to confirm the report citing the federal privacy laws regarding medical information.

“We are disappointed but we know God has a plan,” Edwards told the newspaper. “Thanks for everyone’s prayers and concerns for Jake.”
Edwards, a 6-foot-4, 271-pound guard, would have competed for playing time at guard this season but was expected to be a redshirt candidate. He was a 3-star recruiting prospect and was Class AA All-State.

Congrats Grandpa

Speaking of tweets, I also tweeted out the news of the latest addition to the Bulldogs’ first family. Jadyn Elise Richt was born to Mark Richt’s oldest son, Jon Richt, and his wife Anna on Wednesday.

Richt hasn’t commented yet on becoming a first-time grandfather at 54. But, as you might imagine, the whole affair has played out rather publicly over social media, as everything does these days.

Hudson needs to concentrate being able to do 2 things that Murray could never learn and Murray's inability to do these two things lost most of the games lost while Murray was Quarterback.

The first thing is don't turn the ball over: There are a lot of reason a Quarterback turns the ball over like don't force the ball, if nobody is open tuck it and run.

The second thing is being able to complete a screen pass without it being intercepted or the receiver being thrown for a lose. Murray being too short was the reason he could never master this. I bet that Murray had an 80 % failure rate with screen passes.Because of his height difference Mason shouldn't have any problem with one of the most important weapons to have tucked away and used at the right time.

Kool-Aid.....get your Jawja Kool-Aid here......step up and get your Jawja Kool-Aid. One swig and you will be convinced thUGA will win the National Championship in 2014. This is the same recipe used every year since 1980. Sooner or later....it has to work.

C-Kirk, How many SEC games do your 2 incoming Freshman RB's have under their belt? 4 world class Tailbacks, run the ball 7 out of 10 plays. Mason has to remember to not fumble and watch the clock? you're trying your best to make me change my stand on random drug testing.

I think this is going to be the year of the Tailback at Georgia. With Murray, Bobo tried to have a balanced offense between passing and running . With Mason having a weak arm and Georgia having 4 world class Tailbacks on the team I think Masons job will be to make sure everything runs smoothly when handing off or throwing a scene pass. Georgia will run the ball 70% of the time this year. Next year will be different with at least 2 Quarterbacks on the team with very strong arms. Mason's job this year will be , no turnovers and time management.

Haterade! Get your Haterade here!! One swig and you'll let blind hate turn you into a complete jacka$$. You'll sit around obsessing about UGA all day and make moronic comments on their sports blog. Same recipe since 1785 and still just as good to this day!! All for the low low price of your life...try getting one haters!!

Georgia will run or pass to Gurley 25 times a game. They will do the same for Marshall 10 to 15 times depending on if he is fully recovered. Between the both they will run approximately 30 times. Because Mason has such a weak arm Bobo will run or pass to his Tailbacks 45 to 50 times a game. That leaves 20 maybe 25 times a Tailback will get some action other than Marshall and Gurley. Georgia didn't sign Chubb and Michel to Red shirt or sit the bench. Both will get planty of action, especially Chubb. I think Georgia will average 300 yards a game or more on the ground.

@C-Kirk You trolls are hysterical...Mason hardly has a "weak arm"....was all time leading passer in HS when he signed with a strong downfield game. Clearly he isn't Murray...no one is but Murray. But he will get the ball out faster and trust his receivers a bit more in terms of throwing before the break (according to both Mason and Murray). He'll be fine in the air and as everyone knows UGA should be very strong on the ground. What I don't think people are truly understanding yet is the slight nuance that has been installed in the offense that could be devastating to defenses. In the past UGA either had to go with the one back set for passing situations (and of course could still run out of it but less of a power set) or had to have the fullback in for more power running (and of course they can pass out of that set as well but it doesnt put as much pressure on the vertical game with all speed receivers in the pattern). This year we've installed that hybrid back position with one of my favorite Dawgs...HICKS!...so coming out of the huddle he can line up in front of Gurley as FB or go in motion (or line up) as TE/receiver. In combination with an up tempo offense it might be BRUTAL for defenses to figure out which personnel to put on the field and provide Bobo/Mason endless opportunities to alter the set and play at line of scrimmage based on what personnel the D shows across the line. You come with 5 DBs...great, here's Hicks at FB leading Gurley off tackle. You load up with 7 DL/LBs in box....ok, Hicks goes to TE, chips a guy and Gurley either blocks or picks up the bubble screen and off to the races.

Soooo many weapons and soooo little time to react as a Defense. It's going to be a fun year to be a Dawg!

The world does not play American football. So not sure how any of your running backs are "world class." But Gurley is a Heisman, all-American, and All-SEC class type running back. Not so much yet concerning the others in your "four deep, "world class backfield." One coming off a serious knee injury and the other two have no played a down out of high school yet. But, it is summer.....and Georgia is always "world class" in everything during the summer months. Heck....from your perspective......Florida has two "world class" freshmen QBs in Grier and Harris.

@Nate-the-Great a UGa fan created Haterade. You shouldn't pass out your own creation to the masses. An upset UGa fan was mad at the GATORS so he started calling the drink invented by Florida Haterade instead of Gatorade as I understand the urban legend.

@C-Kirk@gtcaryd Bobo will run or pass to his tailbacks 45 to 50 times a game? Guess those great receivers yall talk about all the time are going to be blocking a lot. That is a pretty bizarre breakdown of a Bobo game plan. No offense man but i think you might need an intervention.

When I use world class most should know I mean great or would be starting anywhere except Georgia. The only team with that kind of Running back Depth is Alabama. I hated losing out on Henry last year because he is great but everybody will see that Chubb will match anything Henry does in 2014. Georgia will have multiple games where at less 3 different Tailbacks get 100 yards or more this year.

@TampGator1 Actually UF has three world class QBs right...isnt Driskell supposed to be that 5 star super stud you people have been crowing about for years? LMAO....butt hurt comments like yours are always so much fun!

JMO but Great is thrown around so much it has no meaing anymore. "He is a beast"...such B/S. For the most part those that never played a down of football tend to have errrrrbody great or a beast. Raise your standard to what Great really means. TJ Yeldon is a really good football player but he isn't great at this time. Great players don't fumble at the worst point in a game. Derrick Henry has potential but over at my place that means "he ain't worth a sheet yet". I am not a homer and don't care for homers but again that is just me. My glass is always half empty or maybe even more.

After running out of unhurt Tailbacks a few year ago the Tailback Depth that Georgia has for 2014 is exciting and everyone will see that even a Pass oriented Coordinator like Bobo won't be able to justify a balance Offense. Georgia will run at least 70% of the time if not more.

@KeepOnSmilingWetWillie If you're not a Bammer homer, then you're living right next door. All Bammers on the AJC-UGA blogs are homers. They live in a sub-culture where only Bammer exists and everyone else is simply a nuisance in their lives (as I see it). They believe their top competition is their 2nd string. And they go ballistic when something negative (alleged) is attached to their football program. Like I said not much else going on in their life beyond living as a Bammer.

Brilliant simply brilliant... what Alabamastan hasn't figured out yet... if you pay a certain RB or OT big money (Mopar) to attend and play football at your university you must also accept the fact these players are just playing basically for the money... liken to hired Mercenaries.. and when the boys in Vegas need a little favor (sack's or fumble) they will slip... wait on it... more money into said players pocket... Voilà!... beaten by your own game!

Alabamastan created this bed of evil... now sleep in it! ...glass 1/2 empty... lol... it's full of deception and darkness...

@C-Kirk you are dead wrong....Bobo and Richt WILL have a more balanced offense than your 70% figure. That kind of predictability makes it far too easy to defend the run. I don't care how many great RBs and even a great OL...you try to run 70% of the time without employing the trickery of an Awbarn....teams will stack 8 in the box and create a problem. It may not be 50/50 but will definitely not be 70% pass.

Let me modify that 70% a little. We will run a lot more this year to get Chubb and Michel involved. I'm sure Richt promised them both they would see plenty of action. But what I would like to include in the 70% is a screen to the Tailback. What I should have said is the Tailback will get the ball 70% of the time. For me if you throw a screen behind the line of scrimmage it is a run after the Tailback catches it.

“If you are a queen and I am a queen then who will fill the bucket of water?”

For this people's heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.' ~ Matthew 13:15

@Dawg-Gawn@gtcaryd How about a group for the ones who are to tired to give a crap? Chillin and jookin? I have to call a cab to get to the bathroom some mornings, and last you want to insinuate that i am getting a little slow? A toke might clear my mind? Save your bible verses for Vacation bible school. I guess i am in the wonder what happened group? Tell Grace i said hello.

There are some people who misunderstand the principle and they call things that areas though they are not.... rather than calling things that are not as though they were until they are... you're in denial

Thanks for the opportunity to tell you just how Omnipotent, Omnipresent and Omniscient the Spirit really is... He already knows exactly everthing about you, even before you were born and when you get to your wits end, you'll find God lives there... extending His right hand of Grace to you, even though you so easily mock Him today.....

"BELIEVE" in the G

There are no comments yet. Be the first to post your thoughts. Sign in or register.